January 12, 2016
The standard for forgiveness has never been set higher. No one ever experienced a greater injustice, and yet so graciously offered unconditional forgiveness.
"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
There is an urge to disagree with Jesus on this point. From all appearances, all actions taken against Him were cold-blooded and calculating. Far from being done in ignorance, His abuse and death was deliberate, malicious actions. But forgiveness chooses to see these actions as misguided deeds by blinded people.
False conclusions and wrong decisions result from faulty or insufficient information. The tragedy for those who orchestrated Jesus' death was that their actions were based on faulty information. They did not truly comprehend the implications of their actions against God's Son.
Are we so different? Appalling as it is to think about deliberately putting Him to death, do we take other painful actions against Him without truly knowing the consequences or implications? Do we wound Him by wounding one of His precious children? Do we act in an unloving way by being unloving to one He died for?
Just as I am ready to point an accusing finger at those who acted against Jesus, I realize there is something of that murderous crowd within me. And, what I most want is not the justice I deserve, but the lavish forgiveness of the One who offers it to me, as well as those who crucified Him.
May we be as lavish with our forgiveness as was the greatest Forgiver of all.
Steve
"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
There is an urge to disagree with Jesus on this point. From all appearances, all actions taken against Him were cold-blooded and calculating. Far from being done in ignorance, His abuse and death was deliberate, malicious actions. But forgiveness chooses to see these actions as misguided deeds by blinded people.
False conclusions and wrong decisions result from faulty or insufficient information. The tragedy for those who orchestrated Jesus' death was that their actions were based on faulty information. They did not truly comprehend the implications of their actions against God's Son.
Are we so different? Appalling as it is to think about deliberately putting Him to death, do we take other painful actions against Him without truly knowing the consequences or implications? Do we wound Him by wounding one of His precious children? Do we act in an unloving way by being unloving to one He died for?
Just as I am ready to point an accusing finger at those who acted against Jesus, I realize there is something of that murderous crowd within me. And, what I most want is not the justice I deserve, but the lavish forgiveness of the One who offers it to me, as well as those who crucified Him.
May we be as lavish with our forgiveness as was the greatest Forgiver of all.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2016
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posted by steve @ 7:46 AM
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